Two accused of using Bible for drug smuggling

Two Northwest Montana people are facing charges of trying to smuggle drugs into the Lincoln County Jail inside a bible.

Angela Lynn Rensmon, 40, of Kalispell, is charged with the two felonies, criminal possession of dangerous drugs and conspiracy to transfer illegal articles, and Michael Joseph Flanagan, 43, who is lodged in the Lincoln County Jail, is facing one count of conspiracy to transfer illegal articles and one count of solicitation to transfer illegal articles.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, during the week of July 1, jail staff learned that Flanagan was allegedly trying to have some type of illegal drug brought to him, concealed in a bible.

A detective listened to the recordings and believed a woman from Flathead County, identified as Rensom, was alleged to be bringing the bible to the jail, possibly on visitation day.

While nothing took place that week, on Monday, July 8, Rensom visited Flanagan and allegedly handed a jail guard two books to be given to him. One was a puzzle book and the other was a book by Timothy Keller, Gods Wisdom for Navigating Life.

The guard took the books and sealed them inside an evidence bag and it was locked in a gun locker and the key was placed into the box of a narcotics detective.

Then, on Tuesday, July 9, the detective opened the bag and felt a small lump at the top of the bible in the binding. After cutting the binding, the detective found a small bag. A preliminary test determined it was methamphetamine.

The detective logged the book into evidence and the jail guard submitted body camera footage of her accepting the books from Rensom. The detective also obtained a copy of the visitation slip, allegedly filled out by Rensom.

Flanagan is facing a total of 20 years in state prison for both offenses.

Rensmon faces a total of 15 years in state prison for both offenses and fines of up to $5,000.